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HIV through Oral Sex between 2 woman
Hi Doc .... I'm sure you've heard this question a thousand times, but I'm so scared that I don't know where to turn any longer.
I was always under the impression that oral sex was suppose to be 'safe sex'
and condoms were really intended to be used for vaginal and anal sex? If so then why are alot of the websites saying that oral sex is a risk?
Here is my story:
About 3 months ago I had unprotected oral sex with a female co worker of mine. There was no blood involved, no visable sores and I was more on the receiving then giving end. I'm feel absolutly sick to my stomach as I'm married, never cheated on my husband and feel totally disgusted with myself. I'm really just so scared now that I might have contracted HIV through this exposure. Is it possible? And if so, how? I also want to mention that I'm from South Africa were HIV is a huge problem here. Do all new cases of HIV infection include mouth problems, as I've got small, invisable bumps on the back upper and lower gums ... tongue feels swollen too. Went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago and she said she couldn't see anything, but I can feel them when I run my tongue over them. Please help me understand what my risk is as I'm going out of my mind!
Thank you Doc
I was always under the impression that oral sex was suppose to be 'safe sex'
and condoms were really intended to be used for vaginal and anal sex? If so then why are alot of the websites saying that oral sex is a risk?
Here is my story:
About 3 months ago I had unprotected oral sex with a female co worker of mine. There was no blood involved, no visable sores and I was more on the receiving then giving end. I'm feel absolutly sick to my stomach as I'm married, never cheated on my husband and feel totally disgusted with myself. I'm really just so scared now that I might have contracted HIV through this exposure. Is it possible? And if so, how? I also want to mention that I'm from South Africa were HIV is a huge problem here. Do all new cases of HIV infection include mouth problems, as I've got small, invisable bumps on the back upper and lower gums ... tongue feels swollen too. Went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago and she said she couldn't see anything, but I can feel them when I run my tongue over them. Please help me understand what my risk is as I'm going out of my mind!
Thank you Doc
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You need to stop shopping for different answers. You always will find inconsistencies; there are too many uncertainties in knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its transmission. I agree with your doc, except that saliva is not a proved route of transmission. If it occurs, it is too rare to worry about. To my knowledge, there are no documented cases of transmission by cunnilingus.
This thread is truly over. Any further comments will be deleted without reply.
This thread is truly over. Any further comments will be deleted without reply.
I'm sorry to worry you once again, but please can you comment on this post I received from a doctor here in South Africa:
Subject:
Posted by: Gynaedoc
Message:
1) The virus can be transmitted through any body secretions, including saliva.
2) I don't know of any documented cases.
3) Thrush in the mouth is a late sign, when your immune system is seriously compromised.
4) Thus not seeing any probelms would not exclude HIV
5) It rarely happens
6) Your chances would be very low.
Best wishes
Date: 10/11/2007
Now this is really confusing as I first of all thought HIV wasn't transmitted through saliva and cunnilingus between two woman was safe?
Please respond to this for me as I'm extremely worried now.
Thank you
Subject:
Posted by: Gynaedoc
Message:
1) The virus can be transmitted through any body secretions, including saliva.
2) I don't know of any documented cases.
3) Thrush in the mouth is a late sign, when your immune system is seriously compromised.
4) Thus not seeing any probelms would not exclude HIV
5) It rarely happens
6) Your chances would be very low.
Best wishes
Date: 10/11/2007
Now this is really confusing as I first of all thought HIV wasn't transmitted through saliva and cunnilingus between two woman was safe?
Please respond to this for me as I'm extremely worried now.
Thank you
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
See the last line of my previous reply. This thread is over.
Thank you Doc for your post and I must say I feel alot better now.
Basically what you're saying is the HIV through cunnilingus has never happened and it's not something I should worry about regarding HIV transmission. That the mouth problems I'm having should be invistigated further by a dentist as it coudn't possibly be from an HIV infection?
I suppose I'll know soon what my outcome is as I have to go for an HIV test for insurance purposes.
Thank you once again for all your support and here's hoping all is okay.
Basically what you're saying is the HIV through cunnilingus has never happened and it's not something I should worry about regarding HIV transmission. That the mouth problems I'm having should be invistigated further by a dentist as it coudn't possibly be from an HIV infection?
I suppose I'll know soon what my outcome is as I have to go for an HIV test for insurance purposes.
Thank you once again for all your support and here's hoping all is okay.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Irrational/confusing question. Since transmission doesn't occur at all by cunnilingus, there is no transmission mechanism to discuss. 2) Not that I know of. 3) Almost every symptom that human beings get sometimes can be due to HIV. Mouth sores are not a common HIV symptom, though. 4) No. 5) The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is too low for most experts to recommend condoms routinely. 6) The risk is virtually zero regardless.
I won't have any further commetns.
I won't have any further commetns.
Thank you Doctor for your comments - it's quite reassuring.
Just a couple of questions if you don't mind:
1) If HIV through cunnilingus ever did happen .... how would it as you'd only being exposed to saliva?
2) Have there been any documented cases of HIV infection through this route - especially in South Africa. I know the CDC says not, but would that survey include HIV infection here too?
3) Are mouth infections a true sign of early HIV infection? And if so, what sort of symptoms should I look out for?
4) If my dentist never picked up or saw anything, do you think this is a need for concern?
5) There is so much info regarding HIV but not once is it marketed that condoms need to be used for oral sex - is this because it rarely happens or are they just not telling us the risks?
6) If I was more on the receiving then giving side ... there was no blood or visable sores noticable, would that decrease my risk further?
I have spoken to my co worker and she has insured me that she's HIV negative, has never been with a man and has never done drugs either.
My husband has increased our life insurance recently so we both have to take an HIV test - so I guess I'll find out in no time if it's negative or positive.
Hoping and praying all is okay.
Thank you and you're all doing a wonderful job here trying to ease our fears and emotions.
Kelly
Just a couple of questions if you don't mind:
1) If HIV through cunnilingus ever did happen .... how would it as you'd only being exposed to saliva?
2) Have there been any documented cases of HIV infection through this route - especially in South Africa. I know the CDC says not, but would that survey include HIV infection here too?
3) Are mouth infections a true sign of early HIV infection? And if so, what sort of symptoms should I look out for?
4) If my dentist never picked up or saw anything, do you think this is a need for concern?
5) There is so much info regarding HIV but not once is it marketed that condoms need to be used for oral sex - is this because it rarely happens or are they just not telling us the risks?
6) If I was more on the receiving then giving side ... there was no blood or visable sores noticable, would that decrease my risk further?
I have spoken to my co worker and she has insured me that she's HIV negative, has never been with a man and has never done drugs either.
My husband has increased our life insurance recently so we both have to take an HIV test - so I guess I'll find out in no time if it's negative or positive.
Hoping and praying all is okay.
Thank you and you're all doing a wonderful job here trying to ease our fears and emotions.
Kelly
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Most websites take conservative positions: if there is any theoretical risk, it is listed, often without qualification to put the real risk in context. Sometimes it is because the people writing the information don't have a sophisticated understanding; other times it's an intentional, lawyer-driven CYA attitude.
Sexual transmission of HIV between women is rare; the vast majority of HIV infected lesbians have had high risk sex with men, injection drug use, etc. Oral sex is zero to low risk and to my knowledge has never been proved to occur by cunnilingus, in either direction. Whatever risk there is undoubtedly is elevated in the presence of oral lesions or inflammation, but elevating a virtually zero risk really doesn't mean anything significant.
Your risk of sexual acquisition of HIV is higher in South Africa than in most industrialized countries--but it comes from your heterosexual relationships, not an occasional lesbian one. Your symptoms don't suggest HIV, and if a dentist can't see anything wrong, most likely nothing in fact is physically wrong.
If you remain nervous, feel free to have an HIV test; you can expect negative results. In the meantime, if you haven't done so, ask your co-worker whether she has HIV. If she says no (and doesn't seem evasive), that will be reassuring.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Sexual transmission of HIV between women is rare; the vast majority of HIV infected lesbians have had high risk sex with men, injection drug use, etc. Oral sex is zero to low risk and to my knowledge has never been proved to occur by cunnilingus, in either direction. Whatever risk there is undoubtedly is elevated in the presence of oral lesions or inflammation, but elevating a virtually zero risk really doesn't mean anything significant.
Your risk of sexual acquisition of HIV is higher in South Africa than in most industrialized countries--but it comes from your heterosexual relationships, not an occasional lesbian one. Your symptoms don't suggest HIV, and if a dentist can't see anything wrong, most likely nothing in fact is physically wrong.
If you remain nervous, feel free to have an HIV test; you can expect negative results. In the meantime, if you haven't done so, ask your co-worker whether she has HIV. If she says no (and doesn't seem evasive), that will be reassuring.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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